C L O S L E R
Moving Us Closer To Osler
A Miller Coulson Academy of Clinical Excellence Initiative

What do you wish you had known before starting medical school?

Takeaway

Finances and public speaking – two important topics to learn about before starting medical school.

Lifelong Learning in Clinical Excellence | August 23, 2019 | <1 min read

Highlights

I wish I had had a better understanding of finances and strategies related to student loans that burdened me until I was almost 40.

Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
I wish I had known that medical school will be one of my only opportunities to see the inside of a patient, every organ, blood vessel, and nerve. As an internist I am treating all of these organ systems and I wish I had appreciated that opportunity more when I had it

Mariah Robertson, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
I wish I had had the opportunity to practice and polish public speaking prior to medical school.  Much of what we do is presenting to peers, colleagues, and lay persons. There's never any formal training, more of a "watch and learn."

Panagis Galiatsatos, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
I never imagined that many of the classmates I went through that amazing journey with would become lifelong friends.

Paul O'Rourke, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

I wish I had had a better understanding of finances and strategies related to student loans that burdened me until I was almost 40.

Mariah Robertson, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

I wish I had known that medical school will be one of my only opportunities to see the inside of a patient, every organ, blood vessel, nerve (both in a cadaver and on surgical rotations). As an internist I am treating all of these organ systems and I wish I had appreciated that opportunity more when I had it. What an important learning experience!

What do you think?

Do you want to add to the conversation? Please share!

Panagis Galiatsatos, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

I wish I had had the opportunity to practice and polish public speaking prior to medical school.  Much of what we do is presenting to peers, colleagues, and lay persons. There’s never any formal training, more of a “watch and learn.” Which is a fine strategy for our cohort of peers and colleagues, but difficult to transition to speaking engagements to lay persons. 

Paul O'Rourke, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Before going to medical school, I was anxious of the challenges that awaited, but also excited to pursue my dream – however I would never have imagined that many of the classmates I went through that amazing journey with would become lifelong friends. I credit the outstanding learning environment at my medical school that pushed us to learn but nurtured an environment of collegiality and kindness.

Conversation

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